[StBernard] St. Bernard panel opposes truck stop

[Westley Annis]

Concerns raised over parking, gambling 
Wednesday, December 05, 2007

By Paul Rioux

The St. Bernard Parish Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to
recommend that the Parish Council reject a proposed video poker truck stop
near Poydras, drawing cheers from a handful of residents who fear the
project could destroy the tranquillity of eastern St. Bernard. 

Commission members said Redman Gaming had failed to file a required
traffic-flow plan with its application for a special permit to build a $5
million truck stop near St. Bernard High School. 

Officials with the Kenner company said they are taking steps to correct the
oversight. After the meeting, they reiterated their position that the truck
stop could aid the parish's recovery by generating tax revenue and creating
jobs. 

Nicky Nichols, an owner of Redman, said the parish stands to receive
$150,000 a year in sales taxes and $500,000 for its share of gambling
revenue from the truck stop, which would have 40 video poker machines and
employ 50 to 60 people. 

"There's no economic growth down there whatsoever. Nothing is happening,"
Nichols said. "This project could really get things going." 

The 7,200-square-foot development would include a convenience store, a
50-seat restaurant, showers, laundry facilities and parking for 100 trucks
and 70 cars. 

A conditional-use permit is needed because the 10-acre site along East Judge
Perez Drive is zoned A-1 rural instead of light industrial, which is
required for a truck stop. 

The company is trying to get the project approved before Jan. 1, when an
amendment to state law requiring truck stop casinos to be at least 2,500
feet from a school will take effect. The truck stop would be 642 feet from
the high school, which complies with the current buffer zone of 500 feet. 

The Parish Council is expected to vote on the matter at its Dec. 18 meeting.


At a public hearing last month, many residents spoke against the truck stop,
saying they are concerned about the social ills that often accompany
gambling, as well as the increased truck traffic. Developers countered that
St. Bernard voters determined the benefits of video poker outweigh any
drawbacks by voting to keep it legal by a 2-to-1 margin in a
parish-by-parish referendum in 1996. 

The parish has a video poker truck stop on St. Bernard Highway in Arabi.
There is another one on Paris Road just across the parish line in New
Orleans. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please note Craig that the other 2 truck stops are along roads where they
*already* travel, i.e. SB Hwy in Arabi and on Paris Road.  

Thanks to the Planning Commission for opposing this.

Jim







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